13 days
Temples · Nature · Serenity
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Heritage, Wildlife, Beaches — temples, palaces, jungle safaris and Portuguese-era Goa in one sweeping journey.
Karnataka is one of India's most underrated states — home to Hoysala temples of extraordinary craftsmanship, the vast ruined capital of a medieval empire, and forests sheltering tigers and elephants, all within reach of a laid-back Goan coastline still steeped in Portuguese heritage. This 16-day journey unveils the fascinating diversity of the region — royal palaces, coffee-scented hill country, wildlife safaris, and the sun-bleached ruins of Hampi — for a perfect balance of culture, history and relaxation.
Arrive at Bangalore International Airport late at night. Welcome and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Bangalore.
Drive to Mysore (approximately 4 hours), the former capital of a princely state known for its palaces and heritage. En route, visit Srirangapatna, Tipu Sultan's 18th-century capital. In Mysore, explore Chamundi Hill, home to a temple dedicated to the city's guardian goddess, and see the massive 17th-century Nandi bull statue.
Overnight stay in Mysore.
Excursion to Somnathpur village to visit the 13th-century Hoysala temple of Sri Channakeshava, a gem of South Indian architecture. Return to Mysore and visit the Maharaja's opulent palace, followed by a stroll through the colorful Devaraja Market.
Overnight stay in Mysore.
Drive to Nagarhole National Park (approx. 3.5 hours). Check into your lodge and enjoy a serene motorboat ride on the Kabini River, observing elephants, deer, and an array of bird species in their natural habitat.
Overnight stay at Kabini.
Early morning jeep safari with a naturalist guide to spot tigers, leopards, gaurs (Indian bison), elephants, and deer. Enjoy leisure time at the lodge — relax by the pool or join optional activities such as elephant rides, bamboo rafting, or visits to nearby tribal villages.
Overnight stay at Kabini.
Drive to Coorg (approx. 4 hours), a lush hill region known for its coffee and spice plantations. Surrounded by misty hills and forested valleys, Coorg is perfect for nature walks and birdwatching.
Overnight stay in Coorg.
A day at leisure in Coorg. Optional activities include exploring coffee and spice plantations, bird watching, yoga, meditation, and local village visits.
Overnight stay in Coorg.
Drive to Hassan (approx. 3.5 hours). En route, visit Shravanabelagola, one of Jainism's holiest pilgrimage sites, where the colossal monolithic statue of Bahubali rises 17 metres above the hill. Continue to Halebid and Belur to admire the extraordinary Hoysala temples decorated with intricate stone carvings.
Overnight stay in Hassan.
A scenic drive across the Deccan Plateau (approximately 7 hours) to Hampi. En route, stop at the impressive hill fortress of Chitradurga before continuing to the spectacular ruins of Hampi, once the glorious capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Overnight stay in Hampi.
Spend the day discovering Hampi's extraordinary archaeological treasures, including the Virupaksha Temple, the iconic stone chariot of the Vitthala Temple, the Lotus Mahal, Queen's Bath and the royal enclosure.
Overnight stay in Hampi.
Continue exploring Hampi's sprawling archaeological landscape, wandering through ancient temples, royal structures, old bazaars and the surreal boulder-strewn scenery that surrounds this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight stay in Hampi.
Drive to Badami (approx. 3.5 hours), visiting Aihole and Pattadakal along the way. These remarkable temple complexes illustrate the beginnings of Chalukyan architecture before arriving in Badami to explore its famous rock-cut cave temples overlooking Agastya Lake.
Overnight stay in Badami.
If your stay falls on a Monday, enjoy a visit to the lively local market. Later, drive to Hubli.
Overnight stay in Hubli.
Drive to Goa (approximately 6 hours). Once a Portuguese colony, Goa is renowned for its beautiful beaches, colonial churches and relaxed tropical atmosphere. Upon arrival, check in to your beachfront hotel.
Overnight stay in Goa.
Visit the historic churches of Old Goa, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy free time to relax on Goa's famous beaches or explore its colourful local markets.
Overnight stay in Goa.
Rooms are available until noon. Enjoy some free time before your transfer to the airport for your international flight back to France.
While sightings cannot be guaranteed as this is wild habitat, Kabini's backwaters and forests are renowned among wildlife photographers for consistent elephant sightings, especially in the dry season, alongside the chance of tigers and leopards.
Hampi is one of India's largest archaeological complexes, spread across nearly 26 square kilometres, so two days allow visitors to properly appreciate both its monumental temple architecture and dramatic boulder-strewn landscape.
Shravanabelagola is home to a colossal 981 CE monolithic statue of Bahubali, one of the world's tallest free-standing statues, and hosts the Mahamastakabhisheka anointing ceremony once every twelve years.
After the historic town of Badami, the route passes through Hubli, a regional commercial hub, before descending to Goa, a former Portuguese colony for over 450 years with a distinct Indo-European character.
Hotel accommodation on double sharing, private air-conditioned vehicle throughout, daily breakfast, monument and park entry fees and a professional driver; personal expenses, safari jeep upgrades, insurance and visa are not included.